Halifax International Security Forum
![Photo](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121007063444im_/http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2782/4176914533_cdbffa226e.jpg)
Today, Senator John McCain and I led a congressional delegation to Nova Scotia for the Halifax International Security Forum. The conference is the first of its kind on the North American continent, bringing together over 300 global leaders to discuss international law, the conflict in Afghanistan, nuclear proliferation, and global trans-atlanticism.
I believe that the spirit behind this conference is just as important as the policy discussions taking place - it is a testament to the value of maintaining the bipartisan framework for debate surrounding defense, national security and international relations.
That's why I'm proud to be leading this congressional delegation with Senator McCain. Even when there are policy disagreements, it's important for Americans and the world to know that partisanship ends at the water's edge. That is precisely the spirit behind the famous relationship Republican Senator Arthur Vandenberg had with Democratic President Truman. Such a bipartisan understanding on security issues has, for the most part, characterized American foreign and defense policy for more than half a century - and helped us prevail in the Cold War.
I look forward to the rest of the conference and offering my own expertise as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. If you would like to watch a live stream of the forum please visit: http://www.gmfus.org/halifax/livestream.html